That's what it's all about!

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As I get older, I realize that so many things are changing. Suddenly I am "watching what I am eating.". That usually means that I keep an eyeball on the chocolate cake as I shovel it in my mouth. Which brings me to another change, the fact that I just can't get rid of that extra layer. I am certain that it is left over from Thanksgiving/Christmas celebration, and as soon as spring hits it will simply fall off... Then Easter will come.

I am realizing that my view on things have changed bit. Back in the day I would see a huge home, with 2 new cars, a boat, and maybe an RV parked around back; and I would think "Now that's what it is all about.". Now I see that and I think "man, I would hate to have all of those payments. That would STINK!". lol. That's what Dave Ramsey does for you :).

I saw something this morning, it was my son. He had just jumped out of my car, and was walking up the sidewalk and into the front doors of his school. Devon is not one to simply walk though, he was doin' a little dance as he walked. I laughed, almost to the point of crying. I watched him for as long as I could without getting run over by the mom behind me. As I drove away I thought, "Now that's what it's all about!"



Thank you God for giving me those moments! I love you Daddy!

Pumpkin carving with a Jesus twist :)

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I can talk to my kids ALL DAY LONG, and I think sometimes all they hear is " Wahhh Wahhh Wahhh (charlie brown sound ). They really learn when I can give them something visual. I found this great pumpkin carving activity, and I'm looking forward to trying it with my kids. Enjoy!

heritagebuilders.com.  You can find the full exercise in the “Family Night Tool Chest – Holiday’s” at http://www.heritagebuilders.com/holidays.html

1. Tell your kids about becoming a new creation when you start to carve the pumpkin.
2. Show them the stuff we pull out of the pumpkin is like the yucky sin that’s inside us.
3. Tell them how Jesus cleans us out when we confess our sin.
4. Carve a happy face on the pumpkin and read 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
5. Finish by putting a candle in the pumpkin and read Matthew 5:14-16  “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Where were you on 9/11/01?

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I love hearing and talking to my kids about 9/11. Mostly because I just don't want the history of where we were and how it felt, to be lost in time. So, we have been talking alot about our experience for the past few days. 


I worked at a radio station in Savannah, 94.1 Cat Country.. which is now 94.1 The Beat. I helped to produce the morning show. We had strict rules about entering the studios. You must go to the window and be waved in, because you never knew what you might interrupt otherwise. I remember a group of people coming into the studio and running right past me, amid my protests. They were playing with the TV, and I thought "what in the world is wrong with these people". As I carried on about why everyone had BARGED into my studio, I saw the picture of the first tower burning. 


We sat watching the TV discussing that it must have been an accident, but how do you not see a building of that size, maybe mechanical error. After a few minutes, everyone started dispursing and I was again alone in the studio, glued to the TV. It wasn't long after, that the second plane hit. I was very confused. I thought it was a rerun. Then I realized that the first tower had smoke coming out of it, and this was a second hit. I ran out into the hallway yelling "second plane, there was a second plan. They hit the other tower.". Within the next  hour, my boss would come in with some semblence of a script and tell me to go on air and announce what had happened. That was one of my hardest times on air. I remember reading what was written, and sobbing the whole time. The rest of the day was a totally blur, trying to balance wanting to grab my family and run home to hide, with the job that I had to do. So that's my story. We all spent the next several weeks watching TV, seeing the fatality numbers rise, and wondering what was next. We got anxious everytime a plane or helicopter flew over, held our kids tighter, and put flags all over our houses and cars. 


How about you, what is your story? Where were you, and how did you feel?

Save money on eating out while you're vacationing.

Share |Great tips to save money on your vacation.
Use the following tips to eat economically and save:


*Plan your Meals: Check out cheap restaurants, eateries and 

food stands on your trip route before you set out. Planning 
where to eat saves time and money.  


*Cook Small Meals: If your hostel has a kitchen, or if you are 
camping outside, cook your own meals to save money.  


*Carryover Dinners for Breakfast: While eating dinner, order bread or a dish that you can eat for breakfast. This works out cheaper than eating breakfast at a restaurant.  


*Carry Basic Food Items: (This is one that we do ALOT!)Always buy bread, jam, cheese and 
noodle soup packets at supermarkets. You can quickly put together your meals anywhere and save money. (Packing your family's favorite drinks will save you TONS of money!) 


*Eat at Cafes and Bakeries: Buy fresh foods from bakeries and 
cafes; this works out much cheaper than expensive dinners and 
lunches. Also snack on fresh fruit and bread at night to avoid 
heavy dinners. ( I love this tip, because the food is fresh, good, and it's kinda like getting off the beaten path.)
List taken from ShePrep.com

Grilled Peaches

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WE LOVE PEACHES! Now you know the real reason I moved to the peach state, lol. I found a recipe for Grilled Peaches, and thought I would share. Hope you like it!


Taken from About.com:

Peaches are a natural for the grill, where quick cooking brings out juiciness and intensifies sweetness.

1. Start with peaches that are firm with just a little give when you give them a gentle squeeze with your whole hand.

2. Cut the peaches in half and pit them. You can grill entire peach halves or cut them into wedges. Peeling the peaches isn't necessary for the grill, but you certainly can peel them, if you like.

3. Brush cut side(s) of the peaches with a neutral-tasting oil, like grapeseed or canola.

4. Cook peaches over a medium fire on both sides until grill marks show and peaches are tender but not falling apart.

Serve grilled peaches plain or in salads. Or turn them into delicious desserts by pairing grilled peaches with cool yogurt, whipped cream, or with scoops of ice cream.

This is what I live for...

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Devon and I were riding in the car today. We were in DEEP discussion about the game that he wanted to play when he got home. In the middle of our discussion, he stops and says "look, GOD!". He pointed to the left of the car, and up. I saw a huge beautiful cloud with rays of sunshine spread out behind it. I said " do you see God?". Devon replied "yes, He's right there, shining His light all over the place." That right there, that is the moment I live for. 

Perseverance

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I ran across some notes today, that I took at a Fresh Grounded Faith conference. I remember these notes being very "God breathed" in my life, at that time. As I read them this morning, they resonate again. God's word is fresh and new everyday. I thought I would share, just in case I am not the only one who needed to hear it. I am going to add a few EXTRA notes :)

*Perseverance - There are times when my fatigue is greater than my faith. (Exodus 16:35) It is better to be in the wilderness with manna, than to be alone in bondage. Part of perseverance is realizing that it will probably get worse, before it gets better. To persevere, we need to:

1. Affirm our true identity... "I am ________." ("I am not of those who shrink back." "I am not of those who give in to what is not true.")


2. Feed truth, starve lies. Starve lies by replacing it with true. Lie #1, "I can't do this."- You have a strength and power that is within you, that can. The power of the creator of all perfect things is within you. That power can overcome ANYTHING that is in your life. It can even overtake YOU. If it means asking for that strength with every breath you take, then that is what you need to do. 


3. Plan. Choose habits to end. Anything that misplaces your focus. If it has the appearance of being good, but throws you into a tizzy, it's not of God. If you go to Target to get the things your family needs, but you can't seem to walk out without buying things that you don't, shop somewhere else. If you get on Facebook to keep in touch with your family, but while you're there you look for gossip worthy info, get off Facebook.If eating a "lite" dinner, will have you up at midnight searching for a bowl of cocoa puffs...  We know the things in our life that "feed the beast".... no food= starve the beast. Emotions can be the source of alot of irrational decisions (can I get an amen?) Ask yourself the H.A.L.T. questions. Am I ... H-hungry? A-angry?
L-lonely? T-tired? You would be surprised what I can come up with when I'm hungry :)


4. Practice. Find someone who is on the other side of what you are trying to get past and imitate her. Ecc 4:10-11.

Remember: What you think may drown you, will cleanse you.

Thanks so much to strong women like Jennifer Rothschild, for guiding us by being open and honest about their struggles.